ISO 9001:2015 Standard - Quality Management Systems

What is a Quality Management System?

A Quality Management System (QMS) is a documented system of policies, procedures, and processes that enable a business to achieve their quality objectives. Aligned with the objectives and strategic direction of the business, a QMS is focussed on consistently meeting customer expectations and regulatory requirements, as well as continuously improving effectiveness and efficiency within your organisation.

A Quality Management System helps your business to be consistent in everything it does, so that the organisation can effectively meet the expectations and needs of your customers, your client supply chain, and other stakeholders, every time. Implementing a best practice QMS demonstrates that you are committed to continually monitoring and managing quality across all operations resulting in consistent performance and service.

Whether you’re just starting out on your quality management journey, or you want to improve your current system, JLB can help you reach your goals.

At JLB, we specialise in assessing your current quality management approach and help develop your policies, procedures, and systems to ensure they meet best practice standards. Our approach places your business at the centre so that the resulting quality management system fits with your organisational culture, with minimal disruption to your day-to-day operations.

What are the benefits of a Quality Management System?

Implementing a best-practice Quality Management System can positively affect every aspect of your business performance, resulting in many near and long-term benefits right across your business. A well designed QMS will help you focus on important aspects of your business, improving efficiency, and providing management processes for increased consistency, productivity, and by extension - profits.

There are many reasons why implementing a QMS supports profitability. Collectively, internal, external, and signalling benefits all contribute to stronger financial outcomes associated with a QMS.

However, quality isn’t just about profits; it’s about meeting customer requirements and delivering on the brand promise; it’s about regulations and safety; and it’s about consistently meeting expectations. But, by meeting and exceeding quality standards, companies can reduce losses and increase profits, and stand out from their competitors, increasing customer loyalty and business longevity. By adopting a proactive management approach, you can prevent problems before they arise, increase staff participation and create a culture of quality and continual improvement.

What is ISO 9001?

ISO 9001 is an internationally recognised standard that is based on modern best-practice criteria for a Quality Management System. Certification to the ISO 9001 Standard allows organisations to demonstrate their highest commitment to meeting regulatory requirements and to deliver consistent quality to their customers and other stakeholders.

It is the world’s most widely recognised standard for quality, with over 1.1 million businesses, in 170 different countries, having a third-party ISO 9001-certified quality management system. It not only helps with international trade supply chain selection, but it also plays an important aspect in the decision making of many companies and organisations that require consistency in their supply chains.

The current Standard, ISO 9001:2015, is based on best practice quality management principles, and provides a framework for customer focused quality management that includes, organisational culture, leadership, organisational consistency, continual improvement, evidence based decision making, relationship management, and much more.

Being “ISO 9001 certified” means an organisation has met the requirements of the Standard and has been certified as such by an accredited, third-party certification body.

Why Certify Your QMS to the ISO 9001 Standard?

Designing and developing a QMS for your business that meets the requirements of the ISO 9001 Standard, ensures that you have the best practice quality systems in place to consistently meet and deliver customer requirements and expectations of your products and services.

A quality management system that meets, and is then certified to, the ISO 9001 Standard not only enables you to provide consistent, good quality products and services, but also brings other business benefits over and above that of a non-certified QMS.

Retail and business customers alike are much more inclined to buy products and services from companies that they trust. Certification to the ISO 9001 Standard aids in the perception of organisational credibility, trust, and reputation by demonstrating a high-level commitment to meeting quality requirements and continual process improvement.

Demonstrating compliance to the ISO 9001 Standard can also increase and broaden your business opportunities by providing a competitive edge and attracting new customers. For some supply chain customers, ISO 9001 certification is a prerequisite for purchase and supply contracts; this includes not only business-to-business (B2B) supply, but also many business tenders and government projects. An ISO 9001 certified QMS can aid in qualifying your business to compete for these contracts.

Studies have shown that businesses with ISO 9001 certification have higher rates of employment and sales growth, and corporate survival, than a similar group of companies without such certification.

Implementing a QMS can be achieved by any organisation regardless of size, activity, or industry. Whether you are a sole trader or a large corporate organisation, an ISO 9001 certification will give you a competitive advantage. A certified quality management system delivers many benefits regardless of what stage your business is at; it is suitable for most young and growing businesses, those undergoing significant changes, and more established businesses.

How We Can Help With Your QMS & ISO 9001

If you're looking to implement a quality management system, JLB can help. Whether you want to create a new system, to upgrade your existing system or to simply find a better way of operating, our experienced ISO 9001 consultants will tailor a solution to suit your business needs.

Not only are we skilled at streamlining solutions, our ISO consultants have assisted businesses in a diverse range of industries, both in Australia and overseas, to achieve ISO 9001 certification. We are experts in the current ISO 9001:2015 Standard and we know how to interpret it and apply it within your business context. When you choose to work with JLB, you can be confident that you will receive a quality management system that complies with the latest ISO 9001 Standard and relevant legislative and industry Standards.

We don't believe in cookie-cutter solutions, as no two organisations are the same, and neither are their quality management requirements. When you work with JLB, we take the time to perform a thorough analysis of your existing processes and systems to design and develop a ISO 9001 compliant QMS solution with you, that is specific for your business.

People are an essential part of quality; that's why we take a collaborative approach and work with your team to foster a culture of quality.

What to Expect When You Work with JLB

Our qualified ISO 9001 consultants will work with you to understand what stage you are at in your quality management journey and what ISO 9001 certification will mean for you. With a hands-on approach, our consultants will guide you through the entire development and implementation of the quality management system, with the support of our highly skilled JLB support team.

If you choose to have your QMS ISO 9001 certified, we will assess your QMS implementation before the independent auditors arrive to ensure you are 100% ready and able to achieve your certification the first time.

Our job doesn’t end once you obtain your ISO 9001 certification. Continual monitoring and improvement are an essential part of maintaining your certification. We can provide training for your employees and support you with business planning and an internal audit schedule to ensure you stay on the right path to retaining certification to the ISO standard.

The ISO 9001 Quality Management System Process

ISO 9001 Quality Management System Documentation

A key component of your quality management system is documentation. Working with you, we will prepare all the necessary documentation required to support your QMS and ongoing ISO 9001 compliance and reporting requirements. This will include policy statements, management manuals, work instructions, procedures and standard forms.

Why Choose JLB to Develop Your ISO 9001 Quality Management System?

JLB has assisted over 1,000 organisations, for over 30 years, from initial quality management system development, through to successful third-party ISO 9001 certification.

If you're ready to find out more about quality management systems and how ISO 9001 certification can help your business, contact the JLB Team at info@jlb.com.au.